Thanks Mike. Actually from what I know about your kiln this is basically the type of controller you already have. It's an infinite control switch. Here's the link. I got it cheaper through TheCeramicStore.com

UGH! That sucks! Sorry to hear about all the cracking and breaking Zero! I really don't know how you "clay" guys do it, I could not have the patience of having my work disintegrate before me like that. I hope the next ones turn out better.

Thanks Wendy, Mike and Tiger! Appreciate the visits and comments to the thread!

I hope to glaze and refire by the end of the week. In the meantime, thought I'd share a couple of Mars Attacks cards I've done. I am doing quite a bit of cards...so it was inevitable that some Tiki themed cards would enter the mix!

Anyone wanting to follow the process please head over to my facebook page and click LIKE at the top of the page:

If we keep landing on their planet this is going to happen. It's just too conceited to think we are alone in this universe. I think it would be fun to share your cards with them. Cheers, Wendy
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On 2013-08-20 07:44, danlovestikis wrote:If we keep landing on their planet this is going to happen. It's just too conceited to think we are alone in this universe. I think it would be fun to share your cards with them. Cheers, Wendy

I don't know Wendy! I don't think I'd get anywhere near them Martians!

Well...it happened again....I successfully bisque fired 3 moai mugs. Glazed them. Waited a day then fired them. A day later, the kiln completely cooled. I opened the lid to find them all split. Googling the issue I found that possibly I'm laying the glaze too thick? Either that or my kiln is cooling way too fast. The splits are razor sharp and I've read that if that is the case the split occured after the glaze was set. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've always cooled the kiln down for 24 or more hours before opening which means the temperature was under 130 degrees. Never open the kiln if it is hotter than that.

I've only had one bowl crack and suspected it was because the glaze was too thick. We bought a Bowana bowl with a cracked inside and it looked like the glaze was thick. I re-fired it today with even more glaze to see if I could get it to heal. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Thanks Tipsy! Well the Moai cracked again...I fired it with 3 of my Stowaway mugs and they came out fine. So....the only variable that I can see is the design of the mugs....Maybe my Moai's nose is too large? Is there such a thing as a kiln/ceramic incompatible shape? I'd love to hear thoughts!

As to the Stowaway mug...Wasn't too pleased with my glazes so I'll be offering these up as Artist Proofs. The dark one is sold.

_________________Tiki Tower
The Art of Robert Jimenez
http://www.tikitower.com

The dark mug looks terrific. You can re-glaze the light ones and fire again.
If the nose on the Moai was thicker than the rest of the mug that could crack it.
Slow firing helps prevent the cracking. Wendy
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On 2013-08-25 08:00, danlovestikis wrote:The dark mug looks terrific. You can re-glaze the light ones and fire again.
If the nose on the Moai was thicker than the rest of the mug that could crack it.
Slow firing helps prevent the cracking. Wendy

I don't think it's thicker...it's just long! Anyway I'll be listing one of the light ones and reglazing the other. Thanks Wendy!
_________________Tiki Tower
The Art of Robert Jimenez
http://www.tikitower.com

Robert ... I have been trying to figure your cracking problem. It is so odd that a slip cast mug would consistently crack. You mentioned that you thought the nose was too long. Is it possible that the mold could have a place (like in the nose) that forms in such a way that a void is created? Also is the plaster you use of really good quality? Perhaps there are some impurities in it that cause the greenware to dry irregularly. That may lead to week spots. Because of that, the mold may be the problem. Also, have you tried to fire them using a simple glaze (like a clear) to see if they crack? An old glaze may have gone out of solution and not be firing on evenly applying uneven pressure as it cools. I'm racking my brain .... sorry if I seem to be shooting in the dark.